Matthew 19 13

Matthew 19:13 kjv

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

Matthew 19:13 nkjv

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

Matthew 19:13 niv

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

Matthew 19:13 esv

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,

Matthew 19:13 nlt

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

Matthew 19 verses

Matthew 19 13 Meaning

Matthew 19:13 describes a moment where people brought young children to Jesus, intending for Him to place His hands on them and pray. However, His disciples, misunderstanding the situation or perhaps trying to manage Jesus' time and reputation, rebuked those who brought the children.

Matthew 19 13 Context

Matthew 19 begins with Jesus leaving Galilee and entering Judea beyond the Jordan. Before this pericope (vv. 13-15), Jesus has a significant discussion with the Pharisees about marriage, divorce, and celibacy (vv. 1-12). This shows His authority and counter-cultural teachings on foundational social structures. Directly following the children episode, Jesus encounters the rich young man (vv. 16-22), followed by teachings on the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom and the rewards of following Him.

Historically and culturally, children in the ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds generally held a lower social status than adults. They were often seen as property, primarily valuable for their future labor or for continuing the family line. Their input or presence was often dismissed, and they were considered under the authority of parents and elders. The disciples' reaction in rebuking the parents reflects this prevalent societal attitude. They likely viewed the children as insignificant or a nuisance, perhaps believing Jesus' time was too valuable for such small matters, or that these children were too young to truly benefit from interaction with the Rabbi. Jesus' response, however, directly challenges and overturns this conventional hierarchy, placing profound value on children and asserting their access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 19 13 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - Tote): A temporal conjunction, indicating a transition from the previous discourse (on marriage and divorce) to a new event. It signals a shift in focus to Jesus' interaction with a different group of people.
• people (ἀνθρώπους - anthrōpous): General term for human beings, here referring to individuals, likely parents or guardians, bringing their charges.
• brought (προσήνεγκαν - prosēnenkan): An aorist indicative, indicating a direct and decisive act of bringing or presenting. It suggests intentionality on the part of those bringing the children.
• children (παιδία - paidia): Diminutive of pais, referring to small children, generally not infants (βρέφη - brephē, used in Luke 18:15). These children would be old enough to walk and understand basic instruction, perhaps toddlers to pre-teens.
• to Him (αὐτῷ - autō): Refers to Jesus, highlighting Him as the central figure sought after for blessing.
• that He might lay (ἵνα ἐπιθῇ - hina epithē): A purpose clause. "Lay" (ἐπιθῇ - epithē) from epitithēmi, meaning to place or put upon. The act of "laying hands" was a common practice in ancient Israel, symbolizing blessing, transfer of authority, healing, or consecration.
• His hands (τὰς χεῖρας - tas cheiras): Refers to Jesus' own hands. The hands, a vital part of the body, symbolize personal touch, power, and impartation. This action indicated a direct, personal blessing from Jesus.
• on them (ἐπ' αὐτὰ - ep' auta): Direct contact and application of the blessing to the children.
• and pray (καὶ προσεύξηται - kai proseuxētai): The conjunction "and" links the physical action of laying on hands with the spiritual act of prayer. Jesus' blessing was not just a human gesture but an intercession to God on their behalf.
• But the disciples (οἱ δὲ μαθηταί - hoi de mathētai): The "but" indicates a sharp contrast or opposition. The disciples' reaction is opposite to the intention of those bringing the children and, implicitly, to Jesus' will.
• rebuked (ἐπετίμησαν - epetimēsan): A strong verb from epitimaō, meaning to censure, warn, forbid, or admonish sternly. It implies they spoke harshly to the parents, perhaps seeing the children as an unwelcome distraction or impediment to Jesus' more "important" work.

Matthew 19 13 Bonus section

The verb "to rebuke" (epetimēsan) is significant because it is often used when Jesus himself rebukes demons, illnesses, or even Peter (Matt 16:22). Here, the disciples use it against well-meaning parents, illustrating a spiritual blindness or misconception regarding Jesus' mission and character. Jesus consistently demonstrated compassion and inclusivity, welcoming those marginalized by society. This event is a direct precursor to Jesus' profound teaching about childlike humility and entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 19:14; cf. Matt 18:3-4). The disciples, aiming to "protect" Jesus or His ministry, inadvertently became a barrier to people coming to Him, a pattern Jesus repeatedly corrected in their interactions with outsiders and those deemed less important.

Matthew 19 13 Commentary

Matthew 19:13 presents a poignant scene that immediately follows Jesus' deep theological discussions, revealing a crucial aspect of His ministry and Kingdom values. The act of people bringing children to Jesus was not merely a casual visit but a deeply spiritual gesture, a quest for divine blessing. Laying on of hands, followed by prayer, was an established practice, especially within Jewish tradition, used by patriarchs (like Jacob blessing Joseph's sons), Moses, and later apostles, to convey blessing, spiritual impartation, or authority. These parents sought direct divine favor for their children through Jesus, recognizing His unique spiritual authority.

The disciples' response, however, exposes a common societal bias and a persistent misunderstanding of Jesus' inclusive kingdom. They "rebuked" the parents, perhaps thinking they were protecting Jesus from trivial distractions or upholding what they perceived as a proper social order where adults and matters of Law held precedence over young children. Their actions underscore their unformed theology regarding the true nature of God's Kingdom, which Jesus consistently taught was for the humble, the vulnerable, and those open to receiving. This highlights an enduring struggle: the human tendency to filter access to the divine through preconceived notions of status or worthiness, which Jesus continually dismantled. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' revolutionary declaration that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these children (Matthew 19:14), emphasizing simplicity, trust, and humility as essential for entry into God's domain.